NS-Header-New-cropped

Natural Sunscreens, Essential Oils & More

From the Show: Naturally Savvy
Summary: You might say, "It's winter -- I don't need sunscreen!" You'd be wrong.
Air Date: 2/13/18
Duration: 24:47
Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN and Lisa Davis, MPH
Guest Bio: Nova Covington, CEO & Founder of Goddess Garden
Nova-CovingtonCEO and Founder of Goddess Garden, Nova Covington made an unconventional journey from her rural upbringing to leading one of the fastest growing and most innovative natural skin care companies, Goddess Garden. She grew up in the Canadian wilderness in a rustic cabin with no electricity or running water. Home-schooled, Nova spent much of her time outdoors, immersed in the wilderness where she acquired a love of nature and developed her independent spirit.

Nova’s great-grandmother was an herbalist who learned the healing power of nature and herbal lore from Native American women. Growing up as a fourth generation natural healer, Nova is a certified aromatherapist. In addition to Nova’s wilderness upbringing, her herbalist family roots were the foundation for her future path in natural products.

After high school, Nova went on to attend college at Oregon State University and upon graduation was offered a job at Hewlett-Packard in leadership development. At HP she would develop best-in-class corporate experience while bringing her unique perspective and critical thinking to one of the leading companies in the world. In 1996, Nova and husband Paul Halter, now COO and the Formulator for Goddess Garden, moved to Denver, Colorado, so Nova could pursue a Masters degree at the University of Denver in Business and International Communications.

In 2003, Nova’s new baby daughter Paige broke out in welts from synthetic chemicals in everything from bubble bath to shampoo. She became the catalyst that ignited Nova and Paul’s passion to create an organic skin care company with products that were truly natural... from the earth and safe for people and the planet.

In 2009, Nova launched the first Goddess Garden sunscreen products on a national scale. The focus on the category of natural skin care was inspired by her realization that there was a need for all-natural, mineral-based sunscreens. Goddess Garden fills that need; it produces powerful, organic, chemical-free, mineral- and plant-based sunscreen products that are safe for people as well as the planet.

With Nova’s passion to make a difference for people and the planet, Goddess Garden is now the fastest growing mineral sunscreen on the market. Goddess Garden is launching their new look and new mineral spray sunscreen products in March 2015 throughout mass and natural retailers in the United States and Canada. The full line is carried in nearly 6000 stores including Whole Foods, Target, Wegmans, REI, CVS, Sprouts Farmers Market and many other natural retailers.
Natural Sunscreens, Essential Oils & More
You might say, "It's winter -- I don't need sunscreen!"

Actually, it's advised to put sunscreen on every day you spend time outside, whether it's sunny and warm or not.

What is the best and safest type of sunscreen to use?

“Natural sunscreens have always been the better choice, but now we know it is even more important to avoid chemical sunscreens in light of recent research indicating that Oxybenzone, a harmful chemical used in many conventional sunscreens, is absorbed directly into the bloodstream," explains Goddess Garden Organics CEO Nova Covington. "Oxybenzone has been associated with an increased risk of hormone disruption and closely tied to endometriosis and fertility problems in both adults and children.”

Listen in as Nova explains the dangers of conventional sunscreens, as well as safer options.

The Roots of Goddess Garden Organics
Goddess Garden Organics was founded by husband and wife team Nova Covington and Paul Halter after their daughter had a serious reaction to conventional skin care products. Nova, with an herbalist background and Paul with a nutrition science degree were inspired to develop safe skincare solutions using the pure minerals of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active ingredients for sun protection.